The true feeling of the true G Funk Era. 27 years after the release we take a look at "Regulate... G Funk Era"
Today it's 27 years ago Warren G released his debut album, a still slept on, iconic hip hop album called "Regulate... G Funk Era". Warren G is one of the most underrated pioneers in hip hop. He has always stood in the shadow of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Death Row has never been good enough towards Warren G, even after he helped craft one of the greatest albums of all time "The Chronic". But when Warren created "Regulate", Death Row didn't hesitate to put their logo on it.
A lot of you are probably familiar with "Regulate". "Regulate" works as a summary of the whole G Funk Era. It sums all the important aspects of the genre and puts them to good use. Unfortunately because of the remarkable track, the rest of the album get overshadowed and people often miss the full albums true potential.
"Regulate" ended up going 3 times platinum. It even ended up dragging Def Jam out of a financial hard time.
The rest of the album follows the intentions of "Regulate" with smooth and funky beats, and relaxing, arrogant and laidback vocals. It's the feeling of The West Coast in the 90's.
The G Funk sound, which Warren G contributed to create gets displayed perfectly throughout the album. The album maintains the smooth gangsta vibe in every song.
Rating:
Vibe - 10/10. The pure G Funk this album presents can't be rated nothing else than a 10/10.
Lyrics - 5/10. The album is in no way centered around the lyrics. Warren G does great lyrically but since the album is meant to bring the G Funk vibe throughout the whole thing, Warren ends up repeating himself saying almost the same stuff.
Flow - 7/10. The arrogant and laidback rapping of the G Funk era is very well displayed.
Music - 8/10. Funky baselines and smooth beats. It makes you want to go on a drive to Long Beach and just sit in the car, roll one up and listen.
Overall - 7,8/10. An underrated hip hop album for sure. The vibe is unmatchable and it will remain that way forever.
Tracklist:
Regulate - 9,5/10. A fantastic track. Warren G and Nate Dogg have to "regulate" to their lives from gangsta to fame. However in the end - "And if yo' ass is a busta, 213 will regulate" - he puts a second meaning to regulate. 213 is the name of the group Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G created as teens. If you're a coward, they're still willing to put you in your place. The song displays the G Funk sound of the early 90s greatly and is definitely in the top 5 of that genre. This is such a great track and I will go in depth with it on "The Originals" in the future.
Do You See - 7,5/10. A true feeling of the West Coast G Funk era. Warren reflect on the point of life, and what he should do. At one point he sets up options for himself. A: Go back to slanging dope. B:Maintain and try to cope. C: Just get crazy and wild. Warren chooses D: Create the G-Child. The G-Child is of course a synonym for G Funk.
Gangsta Sermon - 6/10. Just an interlude, but I think it fits in with the rest of the album.
Recognize - 6/10. The slow funky beat creates the feeling of sitting with a blunt in a lowrider on a summer evening. Snoop handles the chorus with style, and the verses displays the pure arrogance of the G Funk Era.
Super Soul Sis - 3/10. Warren delivers an absolutely stunning beat, but Jah Skillz doesn't really work out on the vocals. I would love to hear this track with a 90's Dre or Snoop on the vocals instead.
'94 Ho Draft - 8,5/10. Another interlude. It goes perfectly with the G Funk Era and generally theme and feeling of the album. Just know I don't rate this as a song, but as an interlude.
So Many Ways - 6,5/10. Warren delivers really joyful verses and once again displays the G Funk Era in it's prime. The chorus doesn't work out tho. It's awfully off-beat and ruins the song. This song has great potential, but ends on 6,5 because of the bad chorus.
This D.J. - 9/10. A underrated song. Warren G reminisces about his childhood and the beginning of his rap career. The DJ is of course the man himself. A smooth funky baseline and beat, which creates the classic West Coast environment we love.
This Is The Shack - 9/10. Warren G and his friends owns a marijuana shop. This is a perfect track to get high to. Another smooth funky beat and gangsta lyrics in the smoothest shape possible.
What's Next - 3,5/10. The whole song is a freestyle. Warren once agains delivers a great verse, but gets ruined by his feature, who delivers two mediocre verses.
And Ya Don't Stop - 6/10. The beat was originally intended for "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" from Dre's The Chronic. Warren delivers a smooth sounding vocal on this great beat.
Runnin' Wit No Breaks - 4/10. The G Funk Era isn't just the beats, it's the whole feeling and vibe the music brings. A world class G Funk beat, but bad vocals.
Comments
Post a Comment